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The Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, reaffirmed Nigeria’s commitment to strengthening international air power cooperation during the SICOFAA Symposium held in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic.

Representing Nigeria in his dual capacity as Chief of the Air Staff and Chairman of the Association of African Air Forces (AAAF), Air Marshal Aneke addressed a distinguished gathering of Air Chiefs, senior military leaders, and strategic partners from across the Americas and Africa. He emphasized the critical importance of global collaboration in addressing emerging security challenges and enhancing collective operational capabilities.

Speaking on the symposium’s theme, Air Marshal Aneke noted that the contemporary security environment—marked by terrorism, transnational crime, humanitarian crises, and natural disasters—demands greater innovation, interoperability, and strategic cooperation among air forces worldwide. He highlighted the AAAF’s role as a key platform for promoting professional excellence, capacity building, and the exchange of best practices across Africa, while fostering stronger partnerships with organizations such as SICOFAA.

The CAS identified several areas for enhanced cooperation, including joint exercises, air mobility operations, search and rescue missions, aerospace medicine, logistics support, and disaster response activities. According to him, these initiatives are essential to improving collective readiness and operational effectiveness.

Air Marshal Aneke also highlighted the planned African Air Forces Field Training Exercise, scheduled to take place in Kenya in 2027, describing it as a landmark initiative that will strengthen preparedness for both security and humanitarian operations involving African air forces and selected international partners.

Reaffirming the Nigerian Air Force’s commitment to collective security, professional excellence, and enduring international partnerships, the CAS called on participants to translate the symposium’s deliberations into practical outcomes that will deepen trust, strengthen interoperability, and advance global air power cooperation.

His participation at the high-level forum further underscores Nigeria’s growing role in international defence cooperation and reinforces the country’s reputation as a dependable partner committed to promoting peace, stability, and collaborative security across regions.